Who Are We…

24 May Who Are We…

The Science Education Academy is a community partnership with the White Rock Baptist Church, Ministry to Youth and Children and the E. E. Just Biomedical Society of the University of Pennsylvania.

With the pressure to increase standardized test scores the majority of classroom instruction is focused on Math and Reading. Because the focus has shifted primarily to these subjects, student exposure to basic science is minimal. In addition, the large student to teacher ratio does not allow for actual application of the science curriculum through experimentation. To supplement the Philadelphia science curriculum with hands on activities, the White Rock Baptist Church, in partnership with the Ernest E. Just Biomedical Society of the University of Pennsylvania, established the Science Education Academy (SEA).  The purpose of this program is to expose students in grades 2 through 5 to the scientific method while reinforcing this concept with fun hands on science experiments. Lessons are reinforced with worksheets, vocabulary words and field trips. The program was established with the following goals in mind: (i) Increase access of elementary aged students to scientific professionals who are also underrepresented minorities (ii) provide hands-on activities to apply scientific concepts (iii) Act as a conduit for public science education. Ultimately, we want the program to stir their interest in science while strengthening their observation, logic and communication skills.